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AB-1546 • 2026

Vehicles: driving under the influence.

Vehicles: driving under the influence.

Crime Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Schultz
Last action
2026-06-03
Official status
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on enforcement or funding mechanisms.

Driving Under the Influence Penalties

AB-1546 changes penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) to make them more severe, especially for repeat offenders.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes DUI convictions with two prior offenses within ten years from a fixed sentence to a 'wobbler' that can be either a misdemeanor or felony.
  • Makes DUI convictions with three prior offenses within ten years punishable as a wobbler and four or more as a felony, increasing jail time options.
  • Extends the period of driving privilege revocation for repeat offenders from 4 years to 5 years if there are four or more prior DUI violations in ten years.
  • Increases the mandatory installation period of an ignition interlock device (IID) from 36 months to 48 months for those with four or more DUI convictions within ten years.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People convicted of driving under the influence (DUI).
  • Courts and law enforcement dealing with DUI cases.

Terms To Know

Wobbler
A crime that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances.
Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
A device installed in vehicles to prevent them from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver's breath.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how it will be enforced or funded.
  • It may increase costs for local agencies and school districts, but no reimbursement is required by this act.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-03 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  2. 2026-05-21 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  3. 2026-05-21 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 72. Noes 0.)

  4. 2026-05-18 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  5. 2026-05-14 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).

  6. 2026-05-06 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  7. 2026-03-04 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 3). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  8. 2026-03-04 California Legislative Information

    Coauthors revised.

  9. 2026-02-09 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  10. 2026-01-06 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee February 5.

  11. 2026-01-05 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1546, as introduced, Schultz.
Vehicles: driving under the influence.
Under existing law, if a person is convicted of either driving under the influence (DUI) of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug or driving while having 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in the person’s blood within 10 years of 2 separate violations of specified DUI offenses, or any combination thereof, that resulted in convictions, that person has committed an offense punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 120 days nor more than one year and by a fine, as specified.
This bill would, instead, make the above DUI conviction punishable as a wobbler by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 120 days nor more than one year and by a fine, as specified, or by imprisonment in the county jail for 16 months or 2 or 3 years and a fine, as specified. By
increasing the punishment of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Under existing law, if a person is convicted of DUI and the offense occurred within 10 years of 3 or more separate violations for driving under the influence that resulted in specified convictions, that person has committed an offense punishable as either a misdemeanor or a felony, and the person shall have their privilege to drive revoked for a period of 4 years, as specified.
This bill would, instead, make the above DUI conviction punishable as a wobbler if the offense occurred within 10 years of 3 separate violations for driving under the influence that resulted in specified convictions, and punishable as a felony by imprisonment in the county jail for 16 months or 2 or 3 years and a fine, as specified, if the offense occurred within 10 years of 4 or more separate violations for driving under the influence that resulted in
specified convictions. By increasing the punishment of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would revoke the person’s privilege to drive for a period of 4 years if the offense occurred within 10 years of 3 separate violations for driving under the influence that resulted in specified convictions, and for 5 years if the offense occurred within 10 years of 4 or more separate violations for driving under the influence that resulted in specified convictions.
Existing law, until January 1, 2033, requires a person, upon a criminal conviction for driving under the influence with a prior conviction for DUI, to install a functioning, certified ignition interlock device (IID) for a specified period of time. Under existing law, if a person is convicted of DUI within 10 years of 3 or more specified prior DUI violations, the person is required to install the IID for a mandatory term of 36 months.
This
bill would require the person to install the IID for a mandatory term of 36 months if the conviction occurred within 10 years of 3 specified prior DUI violations. If the conviction occurred within 10 years of 4 or more specified prior DUI violations, the bill would require the person to install the IID for a mandatory term of 48 months.
This bill would make conforming changes.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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